Chapter 413 - Blue Rose

As the banquet went on, the atmosphere became more unrestrained and livelier, with many pairs dancing in the music and weaving through the crowd. 

However, not for all people.

At the front area near the stage where people of highest statuses were seated, a certain young man was surrounded by international powerhouses, iconic business figures, and many beautiful ladies from wealthy families.

His glowing silver hair was eye-catching, despite being surrounded by different hair colors of the international guests. His features were not as strong as the Westerners, having more delicate Asian elements. His features were stunningly beautiful and exotic in any race, drawing admiring sighs from men and women alike.

There were a lot of foreigners in the banquet, thus, there was an array of foreign languages that could be heard from various groups. However, the young man could adapt easily and managed to converse with them fluently.

"Young Master Lu Yin Ze, it is the first time I've come to C country's capital. I am honored to meet you," one of the foreigners spoke in English with a London accent.

A soothing voice with courteousness replied in the same language. "Likewise."

"I've heard a lot about the legendary families in this country. And these four families all ranked at the top ten of the world's wealthiest families. There are rumors that the competition is quite strict. I don't know if the Lu family was close to the Tang family?" another foreigner asked.

Some of the domestic powerhouses gave scrutinizing gazes to the foreigner who just asked. 

Maybe the foreigners were not clear, but it was true that the competition of the four legendary families was a bit tight. After all, although C country's market was big, the domestic cake had to be divided between these families, and there were also other strong competitors aside from them. However, on the outside, the four families wanted to show to the public that they were under a harmonious ceasefire and that no one would go beyond their bottom lines. It was to suppress other competitors from jumping up as an oriole that stalks the cicada.

So no one dared to ask whose family has an alliance with another. And those people who misspoke or brought up any scandal regarding the four legendary families, they disappeared from the circles discreetly. In worst scenarios, their family name might disappear from the registry.

If one of the legendary family sought to fight another, it would start an all-out war in the business industry and affect other industries as well which the four families invested in. Then, the country's economy would greatly be affected by the movements. The stock market would be unstable, the national government would be forced to step in, and the domestic market would be in chaos.

Everyone's interests would be harmed to some extent.

That was how great the influence of each family had. 

The people in the business industry understood that. Thus, they only stood neutral between the four families, hoping to keep the ideal state. If they needed something out from a certain family, they would seek a deal discreetly, a win-win temporary contract, especially the huge companies outside who remained neutral.

A certain CEO who was quite close and had various business dealings with the Lu Empire replied.

"This sire's question is a bit funny. It is not only the heir of the Lu family who attended the event. Even the Eldest Young Master of the Guan family is here, and the heiress of the Xiong family. It is natural to say that the four families are very familiar to each other. Isn't that right, Young Master Lu Yin Ze?"

Lu Yin Ze smiled politely. "Mr. Xin is right. We, the four families, support each other mutually. So it's natural to attend the event."

Lu Yin Ze's smiling face was soft, however, his meaning was clear. The Lu family was not attending the banquet because of some kind of alliance with them, they attended the event because it was 'etiquette'. The prying thoughts should go away.

The foreigners who lacked an understanding of the relationship of the four families stopped their questions about the legendary families and changed the topic of conversation.

Lu Yin Ze was smiling softly the whole time, politely answering their questions one by one.

Then one beautiful lady finally could not help it and raised her lovely voice amidst the overpowering voices of men. "Young Master Lu Yin Ze is truly exquisite. A lot of young girls must have fallen for Young Master. I am afraid Young Master is not single anymore?" 

This question made everyone stop.

The business talk was suddenly gone and the atmosphere changed into something else. Men and women alike glanced at the beautiful face that could make any gender stop in their tracks to admire the beauty.

This handsome young man... Did he had a...lover?

Of course, he should have one! There was no doubt about it! Or else, it was a waste of a beautiful face if was not a Casanova!

Lu Yin Ze blinked innocently. He was taken aback at the question which popped out of nowhere. This was the first time someone was so straightforward to ask about his love life in a formal event.

His love life?

"Heh..." The corner of Lu Yin Ze's thin lips rose and a bitter smile formed. Could he even call that 'love life'?

After all, he was the only one who had feelings and tried to force it on someone... It was such a selfish desire.

"Who knows?" Lu Yin Ze just shrugged generously, but inwardly he felt down. "Excuse me, gentlemen, ladies, it's about time that I greet the celebrant."

He excused himself and went out of the suffocating group.

He should be used to the stifling attention and conversations. But even after years passed, he still felt breathlessness in situations like this, needing some fresh air from time to time.

Unlike his words, Lu Yin Ze did not go to the front where the Tang family was at. He evaded people and went to the dimly lit back garden.

He wanted some time alone.

Arriving in front of the fountain, surrounded by flowers, Lu Yin Ze took a deep breath.

The air was fresher. He could smell the clean scent of plants and flowers. It was quiet.

"Hah..." This was the feeling he liked. A bit chill, a bit dim, an open space, and a refreshing breeze with no suffocating people.

He dazedly touched the blue rose on the bush in front of him.

Blue rose?

He paused and checked the rose he was touching. A blue rose was rare, not every place has it.

He looked around.

This huge garden had different kinds of flowers. Every type of flowers occupied at least ten meters. But this blue rose bush he happened to stop at had the smallest section. Only one meter at most. It looked like it was added here recently.

Lu Yin Ze leaned forward and touched the petals lightly.

'Hmm... Blue rose is my family's secret symbol. How come the Tang family have this? Well, most likely just for the sake of beautifying the garden...' 

(A/n: It was an inside symbol. A symbol of Lu Yin Z's family especially for her mom. But the Lu families crest was a blue Lion. Refer to chap ...)

"…Maybe it's fate to see you. Are you here to cheer me up?" Lu Yin Ze murmured to the blue rose.

"*Sniff*...I'm not here to cheer you up, but are you here to cheer me up?" A sniffling, mellow voice came from the blue roses.

"..."

Eh?!

Lu Yin Ze stupidly jumped away in fright. "The flower spoke!!" 

His angelic and gentle prince-like image was broken in an instant.

He was most afraid of ghosts and supernatural things.

"Huh? Are you stupid? Can flowers speak?" A young woman suddenly stood up from behind the bushes. Her eyes were slightly puffy and the hem of her white dress was a bit dirty. 

"Idiot." Her small and pretty face was scrunched up with gloominess and a bit of annoyance. But because of the dim light, her messy bob hair overshadowed her face slightly. Her snow white pale skin glowed with her white dress in the dark.

A lady in white suddenly rose from the dimly lit bushes. It was an eerie sight.

Lu Yin Ze was pale. "G-ghost..."

The woman in the white dress, Tang Yin, looked at the incredibly handsome man in front of her, as if seeing a deranged man.